September 3, 2025 – Hendrix
College’s Alumni Association Board of Governors will soon convene for its first
meeting of the 2025-26 academic year, with Rip Weaver ’06 serving as
chair.
Weaver, who majored in psychology with a
minor in classics, was an active student leader at Hendrix, serving on Student
Senate, chairing the Multicultural Development Committee, and leading the
Psychology Club. He also worked as a peer tutor, orientation leader, Admission
tour guide, and Advancement Office student assistant—experiences that sparked a
lasting connection with the College. After graduation, he volunteered as a class
agent for nearly a decade and has remained an engaged supporter of Hendrix.
Weaver credits a senior-year Hendrix-Lilly service
trip—chaperoned by then-Assistant Chaplain J.J. Whitney ’96 and then-Vice
President for Advancement Rock Jones ’80—as pivotal in cementing his decision
to move to Boston. There, he supported programs and membership growth at the
YMCA of Greater Boston and managed the Brighton Farmers Market while pursuing a Master of Public Health at Northeastern University.
After more than a decade in Boston, Weaver
returned to Arkansas before the COVID-19 pandemic to be closer to family. Having
built a career in food systems development, he is chief of staff for programs
at Healthy Flavors Arkansas, founded by Hendrix alumnus Dan Spatz ’88 and his
wife, Nadia. Weaver lives in Little Rock, where he also serves on the Little
Rock Downtown Neighborhood Association and the planning advisory board for the
West Little Rock Farmers Market.
“It is my honor and pleasure to serve as the
2025-2026 AABoG board chair and steer a dedicated, passionate group of
alumni who represent graduation classes spanning 60+ years, an array of
professions, and a variety of geographies,” said Weaver. “Over the course of
the next many months, the board aims to uplift the College and partner with
other institutional stakeholders–including alumni, students, staff, faculty,
administrators, trustees, and the public–to ensure that our beloved alma mater
is positioned for success as we sail towards and reach our sesquicentennial
year in 2026.”
Weaver’s term as chair for the Hendrix Alumni
Association Board of Governors began with the welcome he offered to the Class
of 2029 at the New Student Convocation held the afternoon of new student
move-in day, August 19.
While the position of chair is a year-long
role, board members serve for four-year terms. This year’s Alumni Association
Board of Governors are:
- Thea Siria Spatz ’62
- Linda Pondexter Chesterfield ’69
- Chris Carroll Herring ’70
- Jane Case Hawkins ’72
- John Weir ’74
- Dennie Compton ’79
- Angela Smith Wiliamson ’80
- Sue Gattinger Farris '80
- Eddie Williamson ’81
- Miah Frazier Michaelsen ’83
- Susan Roberts Robbins ’86
- Tim McKenna ’90
- JoDee Wilson McKenna ’92
- Amy Jordan '96
- Ateca Foreman ’04
- Ben Rugg ’05
- Maradyth Hopper McKenzie ’06
- Maureen Ryan McGehee '06
- Megan Faulk Rugg ’06
- Nick Stinson ’06
- Rip Weaver ’06
- James Tyus ’07
- Heath DeJean '07
- Colin McKenzie ’08
- Joey Williams '08
- Kevin DeStefano ’09
- Sara Hoke DeStefano ’09
- Becky Flynn ’10
- Katy Brantley ’11
- Sara Slimp '12
- Desirae Holmes McBride '13
- Molly Lentz ’14
- James Owen ’16
- Mattie Thacker ’17
- Ana Romero Flores ’20
- Leyton Gassaway Oppel '20
- Alica McCloria '24
Serving
on the Hendrix College Alumni Association Board of Governors offers alumni
meaningful ways to stay connected and make a difference. Board membership
provides opportunities to give back to the College, hear the latest campus
news, and engage with Hendrix in areas such as admission, career development,
advancement, and communications. Members also enjoy the chance to volunteer,
interact with current students about their Hendrix experiences, and build
professional and personal networks with alumni across the nation and the world.
To learn
more about the Board of Governors and how you can get involved, contact the
Alumni Office at alumni@hendrix.edu.
The Alumni Association Board’s first meeting of
the academic year will take place October 11 during Hendrix’s Homecoming
Weekend.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges
That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges
and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic
quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus
life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III
sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since
1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the
classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice,
and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives
of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix
College Statement of Purpose